Marvel Explains Why Thor’s Hammer Won’t Move For Anyone But Him
Thor is among the most powerful beings in Marvel Comics not only for his godly ancestry, but because of the hero’s thunderous hammer Mjolnir. The iconic weapon grants a wide series of immeasurable abilities, but only to those worthy enough to wield them. Many have attempted to lift Thor’s hammer in the past, but most, including the Hulk, have been unable to make Mjolnir budge. How is this able to happen? Marvel Comics has recently offered a surprisingly scientific explanation.
In the editor’s section of Avengers #679, the issue’s creatives were gabbing about potential capabilities of Mjolnir, and whether anyone could override the ancient weapon’s extreme heaviness. Having done extensive research on the subject for 2013’s Indestructible Hulk series, writer Mark Waid was able to offer a conclusive explanation of how the cosmic weapon works.
Waid first goes into the origins of Thor’s hammer, having been “forged in fiery pits by dwarven blacksmiths” with a substance called “Uru metal”. The near-indestructible ore allows Mjolnir to shift in weight, meaning Uru is a rare form of matter with the ability to manipulate gravity. More scientifically, Waid explains that Uru metal emits a controlled supply of graviton particles and has the capacity to alter the hammer’s mass to any potential size.
Gravitons are particles (theoretically predicted but, unlike the Higgs boson, still not experimentally confirmed) that mediate the force of gravity, just like photons transmit the force of electromagnetism. While we are unable to forge Uru metal on Earth, the dwarven blacksmiths, being as advanced compared to us as we are to our early ancestors, could craft a hammer whose properties seem like magic to us. Being able to change the rate of emission and absorption of gravitons is equivalent to being able to change an object’s mass and even shape it.”
Fans know the enchantment Odin puts on Thor’s hammer: “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” It’s this magical phrase that prevents unworthies from stealing Mjolnir for their own use, and Waid confirms this fact is owed to a huge boost of gravitons.
If a person whom the hammer has determined to be unworthy attempts to lift the hammer, thanks to Odin’s enchantment, the Uru metal will dramatically increase the rate of graviton emission. This will result in an exponential increase in the gravitational attraction between the Earth and the hammer, such that it cannot be budged. When Thor grips Mjolnir’s handle, the “identity recognition enchantment; if you will, causes the graviton emission to cease, and the hammer resumes its normal weight.”
What do you think? Are you surprised with how much scientific thought has gone into Thor’s hammer, or will it ultimately not matter because comic books are destined to break their own rules? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter to stay informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more Marvel news from recent weeks, check out these next few links below:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
